Lycan’s Kiss — Bending not breaking

Taunting

Ezekiel

I watch as Cole eagerly helps the Hartgrave girl get her luggage out of the trunk of her car. And this is where I will strike again.

“I think we got it all.” My Alpha straightens, putting down one of the two suitcases.

“Thank you so much.”

Goddess, the two of them are insufferable. One more time, one of them makes googly eyes at the other, and I will vomit right on the spot. I screw my mouth into a hard line.

“Yeah, so gentlemanly of you, Alpha. But did you forget the new rule for recruits this year? One piece of luggage only.”

Cole’s mouth drops open, and he stares at me, flabbergasted, while the good doctor looks from me to him.

“No one told me, or I would have….”

“That’s ridiculous. Yes, have her take part in basic training. Have her stay with the other recruits for all I care… but the luggage rule? When did we even talk about this?”

Sell it. You have to sell it now.

“When we talked about utilizing the space in the barracks better, and we concluded that if everyone brought less stuff, some of the closet space could be used to be converted into more accommodation.”

We did talk about the fact that the number of warriors has been increasing rapidly and that there is too little space to employ them all and enter all the people that apply and are actually qualified. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not like the compound isn’t huge with the ten blocks of barracks for the warriors, one main building to accommodate the higher ranking members, Headquarters, the hospital, three places you could eat (Dining hall at the main building and two cafeteria's a little further off) hangar and body shop for anything with wheels, wings or a rotor and the vast area that are the training facilities.

But we still had so many applicants and so few that ever left to either be with their mates, start a family, or simply because they decided it wasn’t for them anymore. Most of us here don’t have that much family and that many relatives to begin with. So there is not so much to go back to. Which is why we have been starting to run into a slight space problem.

“I see where you’re coming from, Alpha. But everyone else had to make adjustments. Some people moved here from overseas and they also only brought one piece of luggage. So I think it should be possible for our new… colleagues to do the same. Surely she doesn’t need all this…..” I stretch my hand out, indicating the two suitcases and one duffel bag in front of me. “….all this stuff.”

Oh, have I hurt her feelings now? The good doctor scrutinizes me as if she’s unsure whether or not to believe me. But she must know Cole well and actually be aware of his problem keeping track of things. Because she simply shrugs her shoulders and grabs her duffle bag.

“The rest can stay in the car. Gonna drop it with my parents when I go for my sister's mating ceremony in two weeks.”

“We have an engagement in two weeks. The new queen’s coronation. Don’t you think you should come there with us?… given you will be part of this pack…temporarily.”

Her smile only widens. “Well, sure, Colonel. But since the future queen is my sister, I will see my parents regardless and drop my stuff off with them. Even if I’m part of this pack….temporarily.”

And I don’t know what pisses me off more. The fact that I have no interest in the higher-ups and had no idea that she is related to the future leaders of our world or that she naturally addressed me with the title I prefer. She referred to me as Beta when talking to Cole but switched to this now. Ugh, is she one of those ‘insightful’ people that boast about their ability to ‘read’ the room and your facial expressions?

“Delightful.”, I press out.

The newest bane of my existence turns to my Alpha. And the skirt of her dress swishes against my leg with the motion. She surely could not have picked something less appropriate to wear. I mean, a dress? C’mon. She knows what we do here. I’m really not looking forward to wardrobe malfunctions in the field or the classroom. But I bite my tongue for now.

‘You better. Look at her legs in that thing.’

‘Nope.’

‘C’mon, just one quick glance.’

‘Jesus Christ, what the f**k is wrong with you? You behave like a horny tween. Get it together!’

During my short conversation with Rex, the two love birds moved toward the headquarters entrance, and I see Cole explain something, his one hand extended pointing at stuff, the other on the small of our new colleague's back. He’s lucky there is nothing like HR here because that is definitely not workplace-appropriate behavior. I follow them at a short distance and debate whether it would be inappropriate just to leave now. Feel like I did my part —time to go running.

‘Yeah, you figure that out. I’mma stare at her a** when she goes up the stairs.’

Rex purrs in my head when Cole and our newest team member reach the small flight of stairs leading up to the entrance and the plastered walkway to reach the building close by.

‘Can you stop?’, I groan and rub a hand over my face. ‘She’s our Alpha’s newest conquest.’

‘Our ‘Alpha’ is a puppy who doesn’t know his a** from his ankles half the time.’

‘He’s the Alpha regardless.’

‘Well, and we could give her a better time…regardless.’

I let out a puff of air.

‘I’m not going to have this conversation with you.’ And I hear him growl.

‘The only reason you’re interested in her is that she’s fresh meat. You get that urge every few months…it’ll pass.’

‘F**k you.’

‘No thanks.’

There is a minute-long pause, and I get ready to take my leave, although I doubt the two of them would even notice that I was gone. That’s how engaged they’re in their conversation, Cole’s hand still drawing circles on her back.

‘We could take her from him.’ I scoff at Rex’s antics. He doesn’t like Cole. But he tolerates the concept of an ‘Alpha’. This is a conversation we had before… basically any time Cole brings a girl back or shows interest in one of the female recruits or warriors. Usually, I get him to shut up faster, though.

‘This one is different.’

‘How is she different? Another brainless girl that swoons over Cole’s pearly whites and his surfer boy hair. Doesn’t seem so different to me.’

‘She is.’ Rex insists.

‘She is young. That’s what she is. Is this about your strange fixation on younger women?’

‘Not that young.’

‘She’s 25…if even.’

‘Your point?’, my Lycan taunts me.

‘She is 25.’

He scoffs, stretching his back.

‘Yeah, still don’t see what you’re getting at.’

‘I know you’re not the brightest, but even you can do the math, right? A 15-year age gap isn’t cute. Goddess, just thinking about it gives me chills.’

But Rex just shrugs his hairy shoulders.

‘You make it sound like we could be her grandfather. Still two consenting adults.’

‘No one is consenting to anything here.’ I grit out between clenched teeth.

“Hmm, what was that, Zeke?” Cole stopped at the top of the stairs and is now looking at me.

“Nothing. Just going over the lesson for tomorrow.” I cross my hands behind my back and look straight at him.

“I think I should leave you guys to it now. See you in the morning.” Nodding at my Alpha, I turn toward the training grounds, not acknowledging the girl…woman at all. Better that way. Put some f**king distance between her and Rex, or this guy will drive me crazy with his unrequited interest.

‘You’re the one that says it’s unrequited….’

Yup. Get her away from me. Quickly.

_____________

Elodie

The barracks look like any dorm at any college in this country: Lang halls, linoleum flooring, and this weird shad of greenish beige on the walls. Cork boards with the names next to each door let you know who stays in the respective room, and there are bathrooms that six recruits each share.

‘This is going to be fun. I haven’t bunked with anybody since I left New Orleans… or since Haiti.’

‘Keep telling yourself that.’ Ira grumbles. ‘That Beta has it out for us, though.’

I just shrug her comment off. He is a little prickly… and he behaved a bit like a d**k. I couldn’t get a good read from him, my empathic abilities on strike. The one thing I got was disdain…a little for Cole and a lot directed at me. But I’m not going to let one guy ruin this. I will be old, positive Elodie….understanding Elodie. The one that doesn’t find it majorly rude that he just left without even acknowledging she was there…. Nope. Not going to go there.

I’m sure he just had a bad day, and everything will be better in the morning. Ira scoffs at me again when I look for the right room number. Cole wanted to accompany me all the way, but I shut that down. The Beta’s comment somehow made me feel weird for being interested in him… like I’m doing something wrong. But I’m not. I straighten. That was the whole point, wasn’t it? He was trying to make me feel uncomfortable.

A—- No. Still not going there. I will apologize to Cole in the morning for being a little rude and cutting his tour short to go find my room by myself. He’s such a nice guy, and I think spending more time with him could be good…help me forget. I fist the strap of my duffle bag harder. When the Beta told me I could only take one piece of luggage, it wasn’t hard to decide which one.

I need Jordan’s letters around. Even if I don’t read them, I need them with me. Good thing I packed my toiletries, all my underwear, and like five changes of workout clothes in there as well. Guess I’ll be living a little more minimalistically these next few weeks.

When I find the right room, I knock and enter when “come in!” Sounds from inside.

The room isn’t small… but it’s also not the biggest I’ve ever seen. There are two wide bunk beds on either side, a window right ahead letting in the gorgeous light of the setting sun. The walls are blank, but one of the occupants put up pretty pink curtains and threw some throw pillows on each of the beds. There is a narrow door to what I guess is the closet to my right, and two desks are pushed against the wall left and right of the door I just entered through.

A girl gets up from the lower bunk of the left bed, and I see another move on the chair to my right.

“Hey.” I smile warmly at both of them. “I’m Elodie… they said I could bunk with you guys for the next few weeks…?”

“Awesome!!” The girl that just got off the bed pushes her hand out toward me with the enthusiasm of a labrador getting ready to catch a frisbee.

“I’m Cansu, and this is Brooke.”

“Hey.”, the blonde fae to my right gives me a small smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“We’ve been a little antsy about who they will stick us with… no offense.”

“None taken.” I laugh. And for once, it’s real. The bouncy ball of energy with black curls and big brown eyes makes it easy. I think this really is going to be okay.

“Great, so….” And then Cansu starts going down a list of questions that make me feel like this is a job interview, not me meeting my temporary roommates.

“So you’re both training to be medics?” They nod in unison. Brook hasn’t spoken much in the last ten minutes. “Yeah, we just started a few days ago. Today was the first official day….”

“It was nuts.”, Cansu throws her arms in the air. “That man is an animal. Did you hear how he yelled at us during the drill? And he definitely miscounted our push-ups on purpose.” Brooke cringes.

“Who are we talking about?”

“The Colonel.”, she supplies, and her friend scoffs.

“Don’t wanna know how small your d**k must be if you still force people to call you by your military rank after you got honorably discharged years ago.”

“Cansu!!”

“What? He’s a great medic, no doubt about it. But C’MON! It’s not like we blew up that ambulance—-“

“That’s enough!” Brooke’s voice is icy. “You have no right going around telling other people's business. You have no idea if that stuff you heard at the cafeteria is even true!”

She blows out an exasperated breath and turns to me. “He wasn’t exactly friendly today, but who cares? We’re here to learn, and he will ensure we do that.”

“Wouldn't hurt him not to look like he wants to eviscerate every single one of us.”, Cansu grumbles, and I can’t suppress the chuckle. They look up at me.

“We’ve met. That’s exactly the vibe I got from him. Good to know it’s not just me.”

A slow grin spreads on each of their faces. Then Cansu’s gaze drops to the bag that I put on the floor next to the bed I’m now sitting on.

“That all you brought? Man, I forced my Mom to back me a suitcase full of treats alone.” She winks. “Got a half years' worth ‘supply’ of Baklava… if you’re ever looking for some love or just want to put yourself in a sugar coma.”

“Wait…” I put my hand up and have the nagging feeling that a**wipe has done me dirty, and Cole, the good-natured, sweet man, let him because he sometimes has a hard time keeping track of things.

“How much luggage were you guys allowed to bring?”

Brooke shrugs. “As much as we wanted to? Why?”

I suppress the angry shriek that wants to pass my lips and widen my smile instead. I’m not going to engage with that behavior. He is a speck on the wall, a fly on a pile of sh**…. He doesn’t matter… he doesn’t.

F**K, I’m angry.